Saturday, October 11, 2008

It's All about the Wheels

The new-look Leafs, fresh from a shocking victory in Motown on Thursday, are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens tonight for their home opener. The Leafs pummeled the Wings with two and a half periods of relentless forechecking, tight defensive zone play and solid goaltending.

While on the other hand the Habs fell in a heart breaker when Ales Kotalik put one top cheese last night in the shootout in Buffalo. Montreal, the perennial favourite in the East,did not finish their game strong and had many opportunities to make the game 2-1. In particular Alexei Kovalev who had a couple chances late in the game but couldn't deliver.

The bud's used they're superior speed to jump on the Red Wing defensemen and makeup for mistakes but, against the Habs Toronto does not have the fleet of foot. The Canadiens have a young, fast line-up and it will be interesting to see what Ron Wilsons game plan will be. It will also be interesting to see how first year Leafs handle they're first home game,against they're most hated rivals no-less.

In their centennial season the Habs are somewhat of a juggernaut in the East and are in a solid position to claim the ultimate prize this year. The Habs have no stand-out weaknesses, but if you have to point one out it would be between the pipes with Carey Price.

With that said you can't help but notice that Montreal is in the complete opposite position than the Leafs. In a complete re-tool, the Blue&White will more than likely be in the basement come April, looking forward to the 2009 draft. While the Habs are the toast of the town.

Side note:Matt Stajan played 10 minutes on the forth line in the season opener and Coach Wilson said there will be no lineup changes tonight, so does this mean Stajan'stime in T.O is drawing near an end?...and Stralman will most likely be a healthy scratch again, where does that leave him?

UPDATE: 6-1 Habs, mid-way threw 3rd: Carlo Colaiacovo tripped over Sergei Kostitsyn and fell on both knees, went to the bench under his own power but it doesn't look good.